Modified self-Kerr-nonlinearity in a four-level N-type atomic system

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Abstract

The self-Kerr-nonlinearity of a four-level N-type atomic system is studied both experimentally and theoretically. The self-Kerr-nonlinear coefficient n2 of the probe beam is greatly enhanced near atomic resonance, and can be dramatically modified by changing the switching laser power. With an increasing switching laser power, the slope of the Kerr nonlinear coefficient n2 around the atomic resonance changes from negative to positive, and the value of n2 varies from ∼-4 × 10-6 to 4 × 10-6 cm2/W at certain near-resonant probe frequency detunings. Such controllable Kerr nonlinearity can find applications in optoelectronic devices, such as all-optical switching and logic gates.

Original languageEnglish
Article number053820
JournalPhysical Review A - Atomic, Molecular, and Optical Physics
Volume84
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - 10 Nov 2011
Externally publishedYes

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